Page 36 of Never Ever Getting Back Together

“Maya!” he calls. “Could I grab you for a minute?”

“Don’t make me go,” I whisper to Perrie.

“Just say no.”

“He’s coming this way.”

“Just say no.”

“I can’t just say no, the royal family will chop off my head.”

“What?”

“Hi, Jordy,” I say as he gets within earshot. “What’s up?”

“Walk with me.”

The camera operator follows us as Jordy leads me to the bushes. Oh, this isn’t ominous at all.

“I actually wanted to touch base,” he says. “I’ve been speaking with some of the girls tonight, and they had some concerns.”

Yeah, I bet they did. “Oh, really?”

“Yes. They said… well, they said you haven’t had the nicest things to say about me, honestly. And I was… I’ll admit, Iwas surprised to hear that. I thought we’d been getting along really well? I couldn’t figure out why you would be saying nasty things about me. I didn’t want to believe it, but then when I heard it from more than one girl, I figured it has to be true.”

He looks at me.

I look at him.

He circles a hand in the air, and I blink. “Sorry, what was the question?”

Jordy’s eyes flash with something unpleasant. So fast the camera probably misses it. Then he goes from furious to patronizing. “I guess I was wondering if you’re feeling jealous? It’s the only thing I can think of, considering how well we’ve been getting along.”

I suck a deep breath in.Think of the cameras. Think of the cameras. You will not be beheaded tonight.

Is that even how royals settle disputes still? I’m not actually sure how they do things in Chalonne. And I can’t google it, so, who’s to say? “Okay, Jordy.”

“No, don’t get upset,” Jordy says hurriedly.

“I’m not upset.”

“Well, but you are,” he says, putting a hand on my shoulder. I try to shake him off, but he presses harder. “And I want you to know that I’m not angry. I understand. But you don’t have to be jealous, Maya. I don’t want this jealousy to come between us like it did last time.”

“Oh, is that what came between us?” I snap.

“Yes.”

“My overwhelming, irrational jealousy?”

“Yes.”

“Uh-huh. Don’t worry, Jordy, I’m not jealous. In fact, I will not talk about you for the rest of the night. Perrie and I have better things to do than to talk about you.”

“I saw you’ve clicked with Perrie. She’s great, huh?”

“Actually, yes. You have excellent taste.” I poke him aggressively in the chest on the wordexcellent.I’m not sure if it’s meant as a compliment or not anymore. Everything’s confusing.

“Do we have the same taste in girls?” he asks, biting his lip suggestively.

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